Giants shoot for rare home sweep in finale with Nats

Posted: Thu Jul 24 10:49 AM

(Sports Network) - The San Francisco Giants try and complete their first home sweep of the season when they conclude their three-game set with the Washington Nationals this afternoon at AT&T Park.

At 19-31, the Giants own the worst home mark in the majors, but they have won the first two games of this series with the lowly Nationals. San Francisco will also be attempting to complete a sweep of its seven-game season series with Washington.

Last night, Rich Aurilia's two-run double off Luis Ayala highlighted a three- run eighth inning that lifted San Francisco to a 6-4 win. Bengie Molina finished 3-for-4 with two RBI for the Giants, who haven't swept a season series since taking all six meetings from the New York Mets in 2002.

Kevin Correia started on the hill for San Francisco and surrendered four runs -- three earned -- on 12 hits in 5 2/3 innings. Geno Espineli (1-0) took the win after getting the final two outs in the eighth inning, while Brian Wilson earned his 27th save with a scoreless ninth.

Jesus Flores had a two-run home run for the Nationals, who have lost five of their past seven games. Willie Harris finished 2-for-5.

Washington starter Collin Balester allowed three runs on six hits in five innings en route to a no-decision. Ayala (1-6) was tagged with the loss after giving up all three runs in the eighth.

Hoping to complete the Giants' first home sweep since August of last season will be righty Matt Cain, who is 5-8 with a 4.08 ERA. Cain was tagged with the loss on Friday against Milwaukee, as he gave up four runs (3 earned) and seven hits in six innings.

Cain defeated the Nats earlier this season and is 2-2 lifetime against them with a 3.00 ERA in five starts.

Washington will counter with righty Tim Redding, who is 7-4 with a 4.17 ERA. Redding was charged with the loss on Friday against the Atlanta Braves, as he yielded six runs and six hits in four innings.

Redding has faced the Giants seven times (5 starts) and is 0-4 with a 6.49 ERA.

San Francisco swept a four-game set against Washington in D.C. from June 6-9. The Nationals were 9-4 in the last 13 games of this series before losing its six recent matchups with the Giants.